Russian authorities rejected visa request and banned American journalist's re-entry for five years

MOSCOW—In a case with Cold War overtones, an American journalist says Russia denied him entry after deeming his presence there undesirable, though Russian authorities say the denial was punishment for overstaying a previous visa.

The journalist, David Satter, is an expert on Russia and adviser to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and had been living in Moscow since September. He said he found his most recent visa request had been...